MORRISTOWN, N.J. (CBSNewYork) — A family’s life changes instantly when a 6-year-old is diagnosed with leukemia.

But Barry Friedson said The Valerie Fund was there from the beginning to help his son, Joshua.

“Treatments are really tough on kids, especially in this age range,” Barry Friedson told WCBS 880’s John Metaxas. “So the child life specialists were there to help them through the treatments, distract them when they had to, entertain them when we had to talk to the doctors and the nurses.”

“One of the first things they asked us was: ‘Do you need help? Do you need help financially? Do you need help getting to the treatment centers? What can we do for you?'”

The Valerie Fund, which helps children diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders, is hoping to raise $1 million when it holds its annual walk and 5K run Saturday at Verona Park.

More than 4,000 people are expected to participate in the event, Bunny Flanders, The Valerie Fund’s director of marketing and communications said. The nonprofit group treats about 4,000 kids throughout New York and New Jersey each year and helps create a support system for patients and their families.